Savinelli Autograph 4 Partially Sandblasted Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

It is probably fair to say that Savinelli is Italy’s most famous pipe brand. Founded in Milan in 1876 by Achille Savinelli, the brand has continuously offered high quality pipes for nearly 150 years. Though various Savinelli lines have come and gone over the years, the brand has always been notable for putting out classically styled pipes with a distinctly Italian twist.

Like the Charatan freehand workshop in mid-20th century England, or Tsuge’s Ikebana workshop in late-20th century and 21st century Japan, Savinelli has its own, special area of the company’s campus reserved for master artisans, where non-standard pipe shapes are carved using artisan techniques. Typically, the results lean into a distinct, Italian idea of what a freehand pipe should be, but, every so often, something much wilder emerges. This mixed-finish, partially sandblasted piece is, not unlike one we had a few weeks ago, very much reminiscent of the Danish freehand style, such as those of Erik Nording and, of course, Preben Holm. Just like those older Nording and Holm pieces, this one blends sandblasted and smooth sections to create an interplay of both ring grain and straight grain patterns.

The condition is fair. Some slight wear to the rim, minor finish fading, and a little residual oxidation on the stem.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.96 / 24.38mm

Bowl Depth: 2.01″ / 51.05mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g